The Californer - Millions of Californians getting refunds on their electricity bills next month, up to billion in savings starts next year

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~ In a historic move, Governor Gavin Newsom announced today that over 11.5 million households in California will receive automatic refunds on their October electric bills through the California Climate Credit. This is part of a credit that is expected to increase significantly next year, with up to $60 billion going towards the electric Climate Credit through 2045.

Thanks to legislation signed by the Governor last week, Californians can expect an average refund of $61 on their electricity bills in October. This refund is in addition to the identical credit that was given earlier this year in April. When combined, most households will receive an average of $198 in utility bill refunds this year.

Governor Newsom expressed his excitement about the refunds, stating, "Millions of California families will see money back on their electricity bills in October – and that refund will be even bigger next year thanks to new laws I signed last week. Up to $60 billion will go back in your pockets, cutting your electric bills while we keep our historic momentum transitioning away from polluting fossil fuels."

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Since 2014, California's Cap-and-Invest program has provided $14.6 billion in bill refunds to residential utility customers. This year alone, the state will provide a total of $2.4 billion in residential credits – $1.4 billion for electric customers, $1 billion for natural gas customers, and an additional $122 million for small businesses.

The refunds range from $35 to $259 on electric bills, with most households expected to receive between $56 and $81 in October. Californians can check how much their refund will be on a designated website.

It's important to note that Californians do not need to take any action to receive these refunds as they are automatically provided through the State's Cap-and-Invest Program managed by the California Air Resources Board.

In addition to these bill refunds, California's Cap-and-Invest program has also funded $33 billion in climate investments, creating over 120,000 jobs and reducing millions of tons of carbon emissions. These investments include initiatives such as building affordable housing near job centers, developing the nation's first high-speed rail, and implementing zero-emission transportation options in underserved communities.

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California's commitment to climate leadership is evident through its significant progress in reducing pollution while simultaneously growing its economy. Greenhouse gas emissions have decreased by 20% since 2000, while the state's GDP has increased by 78%. California also continues to set clean energy records, with two-thirds of its energy coming from clean sources in 2023.

Since Governor Newsom took office, battery storage has increased by over 15,000 megawatts – a 1,900% increase – and over 25,000 megawatts of new resources have been added to the electric grid.

In other recent news, California has reached a major milestone by surpassing 200,000 publicly available electric vehicle (EV) charging ports across the state. This is an increase of over 22,000 chargers since March.

Additionally, Governor Newsom's SAFE Task Force has partnered with the city of Los Angeles to clear a dangerous encampment and connect individuals with shelter and care. This is part of the task force's efforts to target encampments and provide support for those experiencing homelessness.

Furthermore, California and Brazil have formed a new climate partnership to address the issue of climate change. As the Trump administration continues to neglect this pressing issue, these two regions will work together to implement policies that protect natural resources and promote a cleaner and healthier environment for all.

Filed Under: Government, State

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